The START Program opens at the beginning of each academic year and lasts for 8 months.
Successful graduates of the START program can continue developing their idea in the UP Program. It lasts for one year, and startups have the option to rent office space at the University Centre.
About the START Program
The primary goal of the START program is to test the entrepreneurial potential of your idea and determine the direction for further development so that you can turn an innovative idea into a sustainable business.
When and how to Apply to the Program?
The deadline for applying to the new START program is at the end of September.
The number of spots in the START program is limited to a maximum of 15 projects, which we select alongside a review committee after thoroughly evaluating all received applications.
All applicants will be informed about their acceptance or rejection at the beginning of October.
The first event of the START program begins in the first or second week of October. The exact schedule of events will be provided to participants at the introductory meeting.
Benefits of the Program
Participants in the START program receive:
- Workshops that help you take your idea to the next level.
- Mentorship from industry experts across various sectors.
- Free access to a new coworking space at the University Centre in downtown Bratislava.
- The chance to win €1000 by pitching your idea at the Startup Pitch event.
- Intense support and consultations from the STU Incubator team.
- Access to valuable contacts in the startup community.
Who is the Program for?
The START program is open to those who:
- Have entrepreneurial ambitions.
- Have an idea and want to transform it into a real product.
- Already have a prototype/MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and want to validate their product.
The only requirement for joining the STU University Technology Incubator is that at least one team member is from STU (student, doctoral candidate, graduate, or employee).
What is the Cost of Participating in the Program?
The services provided by the STU University Technology Incubator as part of the START program are free of charge. However, it is your idea, and YOU will be responsible for developing and working on it – your investment in the program is the time you dedicate to your project.
Program Structure and Activities
The START program follows the academic year at STU, lasting 8 months. The foundation of the START program is intensive collaboration – regular meetings (every 2 weeks) for educational events, workshops, consultations, or group sessions.
The program is divided into two main parts:
The first part includes workshops on topics such as: The first part concludes with the Idea Pitch event, where you present your project to a panel of experts, who will provide feedback and evaluate whether your project proceeds to the second part of the program. Before the second part begins, the most promising projects will be selected based on their viability and team effectiveness, allowing them to continue development in the second part of the START program. Workshops in this phase cover topics such as: The program concludes with the final Startup Pitch event in May, where you will present your project to a panel of investors and experts. In recent years, the event sponsor has been Takeda Innovations Slovakia.
How did the most recent STARTUP PITCH 2024 go? Find out more HERE.
About the UP Program
The main objective of the UP program is to support and assist startups over the course of a year in gaining traction, acquiring customers, and generating initial revenue or external funding to ensure the continuous development of the startup, with the goal of achieving a sustainable, profitable business model.
Who is the Program for?
The program UP is for startups that have completed the START program, participated in the STARTUP PITCH event, and meet the following conditions:
- The startup has established a business entity or is close to doing so.
- The startup team consists of at least two members.
- The startup has a completed and functional MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
Program Structure and Activities
In the program UP, collaboration between the startup and STU Incubator is less intensive, but we remain in regular contact.
At this stage, you should have established or be in the process of establishing a business entity and dedicate most of your working time to your business.
You can continue using the STU Incubator's services and attend events. We will keep you informed about educational workshops, networking events, and other activities for startups and entrepreneurs, as well as help you promote your business. You will also be able to access mentoring services from our mentors as agreed. To continue supporting you, we will need updates on your progress, including any challenges you are currently facing. To that end, we will organize regular meetings (once every 4 months, totaling 3 meetings per year) where you will present your current status. We plan to invite prominent figures from the business community or successful alumni of the STU Incubator to these meetings. If interested, you can rent office space at the University Centre at a discounted rate for members of the STU Incubator in the UP program and up to 1 year after membership ends. The availability of office space depends on current occupancy – contact us for up-to-date information.
